The Secret to Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit

During our meditation yesterday, we examined verses that reveal one of the secrets to moving in the Holy Spirit's power—prayer. While Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration with three of His disciples, the nine remaining disciples were asked to deliver a man’s son from a demon, but they failed. These verses convey a truth that many are unaware of today. Here’s part of the passage again:

²⁵When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." ²⁶The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." ²⁷But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. ²⁸After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" ²⁹He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer" (Mark 9:14-29).

In a parallel passage, Matthew (17:20) writes that when the nine disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast out the spirit, the Lord responds by saying that their lack of faith was the problem. The NIV translators omit verse 21 because it is found in only a few manuscripts. The verse states, "This kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting." You will usually find this change explained at the bottom of the page. I believe this piece of instruction from Jesus is essential. A lifestyle of prayer and fasting is crucial for navigating challenging situations that defy regular prayer, counseling, and sound advice. Prayer and fasting are essential for overcoming stubborn problems, not just deliverance from evil spirits, but all kinds of difficulties and unanswered prayers. We receive power and insight from the Spirit of God as we rely on Him through prayer and fasting.

If our motives are right, there is an increase in the Holy Spirit's anointing or presence that occurs during prayer and fasting. Isaiah 58 discusses the proper motivation for fasting. In Acts (see below), we observe church leaders fasting and praying, after which the Holy Spirit spoke into their situation with a clear call for them to lay hands on Saul (later known as Paul the apostle) and Barnabas, sending them out for ministry to other lands.

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod, the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:1-3; emphasis added).

The early believers in Christ fasted and prayed with earnest devotion. This self-denial was the secret to their miraculous power from God and confident faith. When Jesus said to the nine disciples, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:14-29), He wasn't suggesting that they send the man and his son away while the disciples took a few days for prayer and fasting. If you want to be a person who moves in the power of the Spirit to any degree, you will take time to give yourself to prayer and fasting. When a situation arises, a man or woman of God must be prepared, guided, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, not just when the need occurs, but because of their consistent prayer life. Indeed, if there is time to seek God for a need in your family, work, or life in general, then set aside a fast. I believe that fasting and prayer can resolve many persistent problems. Keith Thomas

This meditation is from the series On Fire With the Spirit; the study is: The God of Peter is Your God.